Die set

ABSTRACT

A DIE SET COMPRISED OF A FIRST DEFLECTABLE DIE MEMBER AND A MATINGLY COOPERABLE SECOND DIE MEMBER, FOR SELECTIVELY DEFORMING A FERRULE OR SIMILAR ARTICLE INTERPOSED IN THE CAVITY OF SAID FIRST DIE MEMBER. THE INTERENGAGEMENT OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND DIE MEMBERS CAUSES THE PARTIAL DEFLECTION OF SAID FIRST DIE MEMBER, AND THE CONSEQUENT ALTERATION OF THE WIDTH OF SAID CAVITY. DEFLECTABLE LEVER MEANS, POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CAVITY, ASSIST THE RELEASE OF THE DEFORMED FERRULE FROM WITHIN THE DIE UPON THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE DIE MEMBERS.

,1971 R. F. PIASECKI ETAL 3 616,674

. DIE SET Filed March 4, 1970 4-Shcets-Shcct 1 I 20 28 I ,5 3O

H" 1 L26 24 6 I FIG. 1 W 1' 46 l (2?\ 441 M wan:

FIG. 2

INVENIURS ao RAYMOND F PIASECKI Q 3 BY LAI CHE KUO ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1971 R. F. PIASECKI F-TAL 3,616,674

DIE SET Filed March 4, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet 53 INVIiN'IORS RAYMOND F. PIASECK I BY I LAI CHE KUO ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1971 PIASECKI E 3,616,614

DIE SET Filed March 4, 1970 4 Sheots-$hoot 4 Y 1 1G. 1 Z

INVEN'IORS RAYMOND F PIASECKI BY LA! CHE KUO J I L ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,616,674 DIE SET Raymond F. Piasecki, Hazlet, and Lai Che Kuo, Elizabeth,

N.J., assignors to Thomas & Betts Corporation, Elizabeth, NJ.

Filed Mar. 4, 1970, Ser. No. 16,292 Int. Cl. B21d 37/00 US. Cl. 72--412 49 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A die set comprised of a first deflectable die member and a matingly cooperable second die member, for selectively deforming a ferrule or similar article interposed in the cavity of said first die member. The interengagement of said first and second die members causes the partial deflection of said first die member, and the consequent alteration of the width of said cavity. Deflectable lever means, positioned within said cavity, assist the release of the deformed ferrule from within the die upon the disengagement of the die members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention is directed to the field of metal deforming means and more particularly to a deflectable die set for deforming a ferrule or similar article about a conductor or the like, and stripping said assembly therefrom.

Description of the prior art Prior art device-s for deforming ferrules or similar articles utilized a pair of substantially rigid, non-deflectable members comprising a female die member and a cooperably mating male die member. The sidewalls of both members are generally parallel, the width of the male die member being slightly less than the width of the female die cavity, to provide clearance between said walls, to insure a readily slidable relation between the aforementioned adjacent surfaces upon the interengagement of the two members, the clearance being minimized to reduce flash resulting from the extrusion of a portion of the ferrule into the clearance gap. The selective deformation of a ferrule is accomplished by positioning the ferrule between the die members and then forcibly urging the members together, whereby the enclosed ferrule is caused to assume a shape commensurate with the resulting restricted cavity. However, as a rseult of the predetermined clearance existing between the adjacent mating side surfaces of the die members, the enclosed ferrule is incompletely confined, whereby a portion of the ferrule is permitted to be deformed generally outwardly, immediately adjacent the clearance area, thereby entering the gap between the mating portions of the die members and resulting in an undesirable sharp, irregular edge being formed along the sides of the ferrule. Additional crimping energy is thus required in order to merely overcome the increased frictional force resulting from the undesirable displacement of a portion of the ferrule within the clearance area. Further, the sharp, irregular outer edges of the deformed ferrule tend to cling tenaciously to the side walls of the die cavity, impeding the disengagement of the ferrule therefrom. Additionally, as a result of the wedging effect caused by the extrusion of a portion of the ferrule into the clearance area between the die members, the disengaging force required to separate the die member is substantially increased.

3,616,674 Patented Nov. 2., 1971 The present invention overcomes the difiiculties noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing an improved die set which is more versatile, efiicient, and reliable than such devices. Firstly, the female member of the die set has a pair of deflectable extending portions, the inner walls of which at least partially define a variable article receiving cavity therebetween. Coupled to one end of each of the extending portions, and maintaining them in spaced apart relationship, is a connecting portion. The other, or free end of each of the deflectable extending portions of the female die member may be appropriately contoured to provide positive deflecting means cooperable with selective adjacent surfaces on the male member of the die set, to permit the extending portions to be more readily deflected upon the interengagement of the male and female die members, thereby varying the orificial dimnsions of the variable article receiving cavity. The cross-sectional area of either or both of selected sections of the deflectable extending portions or connecting portion of the female die member may be reduced in such manner as to increase the deflectability of the extending portions thereof. Deflectable lever means, coupled to each of the deflectable extending portions, and protruding generally inwardly within the article receiving cavity and generally adjacent the connecting portion, may be provided to assist in stripping a selectively deformed ferrule from the article receiving cavity, the inner surface of the lever means, in cooperation with the inner surfaces of the deflectable extending portions more completely defining the article receiving cavity. The surface of the connecting portion immediately adjacent the lever means may provid stop means therefor, to limit the deflection thereof.

A male die member, cooperable with the female die member, and in movable relation thereto, has a support portion, and a compression portion intermediate of, and projecting outwardly from the support portion and towards the female die member article receiving cavity. The surfaces of the male die member substantially adjacent the compression portion may be appropriately recessed or raised to provide further positive deflecting means thereon, such surfaces being adapted to engage matingly cooperable surfaces adjacent the free ends of the female die member extending portions to permit the deflection thereof upon the interengagement of the die members. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved die set.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved die set for selectively deforming a ferrule or similar article.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved die set having a variable article receiving cavity.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved die set having a variable article receiving cavity, the orificial dimensions of which may be selectively varied to more restrictively confine and deform a ferrule or similar article interposed therebetween.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved die set having deflectable lever means for stripping a deformed ferrule from the die set.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved die set having deflectable lever means disposed within the article receiving cavity thereof, to aid in stripping therefrom a ferrule or similar article selectively deformed therein.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved die set to produce a substantially flash-free selectively deformed ferrule.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved die set to produce a substantially flash-free selectively deformed ferrule, and including further means for stripping said deformed ferrule therefrom.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principles of the invention and the best modes which have been contemplated for carrying them out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference characters:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art die set prior to interengagement of the die members thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the die set of FIG. 1 including, in section, the resulting contour of a ferrule deformed therein.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a die set constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the die set of FIG. 3 illustrating the relative positions of the die members thereof after interengagement, and including, in section, a ferrule deformed therebetween.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the die set of FIG. 3 in disengagement, including, in section, a deformed ferrule.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a die set constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a die set constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a die set constructed in accordance With still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational View of a die set constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, as disposed within the jaw of a partially illustrated tool.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an interengaged die set constructed in accordance with still a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the die set of FIG. 10 illustrating the deformation of a ferrule, in section, disposed therewithin.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the die set f FIG. 10 after deformation of a ferrule disposed therein, and separation of the die set.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a die set constructed in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a representative prior art die set. Female die member 20 is comprised of first and second extending portions 24 and 26, respectively, rigidly coupled to, and depending from, a connecting portion 28. The inner surfaces 32 and 34 of extending portions 24 and 26, respectively, define the female die cavity 30. The surfaces 32 and 34 of die cavity 30 are slightly tapered, sloping outwardly towards the open end thereof, as illustrated, serving to provide a clearance 42 between said surfaces 32 and 34, and adjacent mating surfaces 36 and 38 of the compression portion 40 of male die member 22, upon the interengagement of die members 20 and 22. Upon the interengagement of die members 20 and 22, a ferrule such as 46, disposed therebetween, is caused to be selectively deformed, as may be better seen in FIG. 2. Because of the incomplete confinement of the side walls of ferrule 46 within die cavity 30, the edges of ferrule 46 are permitted to extrude into the clearance 42, forming a sharp, irregular and undesirable ridge such as 44, along either side of ferrule 46. The resulting compacted ferrule 46 tends to cling tenaciously to the side walls 32 of the female die membe 20, whereby the ferrule 46 is stripped therefrom only with great difiiculty, such stripping leading to further damage to the ferrule 46. Additionally, the disengagement of male die member 22 from female die member 20 is severely hampered by the increased friction between the adjacent mating surfaces 32 and 36, and 36 and 34 of said die members 22 and 20 resulting from the wedging action caused by the presence of the extruded edges 4 of ferrule 46 therebetween.

Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, there is shown a first embodiment of a die set 49 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. A first die member 50 has a first defiectable extending portion 54, a second defiectable extending portion 56, and a connecting portion 58 therebetween, a coupled to one end of each of said extending portions 54 and 56 and maintaining said portions 54 and 56 in a spaced apart relationship, the inner walls 62 and 64 thereof defining a variable article receiving cavity 60 therebetween. Adjacent the free ends 66 and 68 of extending portions 54 and 56, respectively, of first die member 50, and coupled thereto, are positive deflecting means such as obliquely angled protruding portions 70 and 72. The inner walls 62 and 64 of extending portions 54 and 56 are tapered outwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Adjacent variable article receiving cavity 60, and generally intermediate the ends of connecting portion 58, is a reduced cross-sectional area such as 86, preferably formed as illustrated, the surface 88 of connecting portion 58 remote from the variable article receiving cavity 60 being recessed substantially as shown. A second die member 52, cooperable with first die member 50, and in movable relation thereto, has a support portion and a compression portion 74 disposed substantially intermediate thereof and protruding generally outwardly therefrom towards the article receiving cavity 60 of first die member 50. Generally adjacent the outer surfaces 76 and 78 of the compression portion 74 of second die member 52 are positive deflecting means such as obliquely angled, preferably recessed surfaces 82 and 84, proportioned to matingly engage complementary cooperable adjacent protruding portions 70 and 72, respectively, of first die member 50. It should be understood that complementary cooperable mating surfaces 82 and 70, and 84 and 72 may be positionally interchanged without departing from the spirit of the invention. By way of example, and to more clearly illustrate the manner of operation of die set 49, a ferrule or similar article such as may be initially interposed between first and second die members 50 and 52, respectively, and substantially within the variable article receiving cavity 60. As may be more clearly seen in FIG. 3, inner walls 62 and 64 of the first die member extending portions 54 and 56, respectively, are initially in oblique planar relationship with cooperable adjacent surfaces 76 and 78 of second die member 52, tapering generally outwardly therefrom, as indicated by angle A, prior to the interengagement of die members 50 and 52. Upon the interengagement thereof, and as is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, ferrule 90 is compressively deformed within cavity 60, compression portion 74 of second die member 52 urging ferrule 90 towards the closed end of cavity 60 and in intimate engagement with an adjacent surfaces of connecting portion 58. The force generated thereby is effectively transmitted to connecting portion 58 generally intermediate the length thereof, causing connecting portion 58 to deflect outwardly, as shown, whereby the first die member extending portions 54 and 56, being coupled to the ends of connecting portion 58, are caused to deflect generally inwardly, the inner surfaces 62 and 64 of extending portions 54 and 56 approaching second die member compression portion adjacent surfaces 76 and 78 in substantially intimate engagement, as illustrated, causing angle A therebetween to be correspondingly reduced, and restrictively confining ferrule 90 and associated edges 92 thereof Wholly within variable cavity 60. Prior to full engagement between first and second die members 50 and 52, obliquely-angled deflecting surfaces 70 and 72 of first die member 50 contact corresponding associated obliquely-angled deflecting surfaces 82 and 84, respectively, of second die member 52, further urging extending portions 54 and 56 inwardly against adjacent surfaces 76 and 78 of second die member compression portion 74, and against ferrule 90. Upon the disengagement of second die member 52 from first die member 50, extending portions 54 and 56 thereof return to their undeflected positions, illustrated in FIG. 5, whereupon ferrule 90, having been thus deformed within the narrower orificial dimension of the variable article receiving cavity 60 resulting from the prior inward deflection of extending portions 54 and 56, may be readily released from cavity 60, the ends 92 of ferrule 90 being deformed inwardly of adjacent surfaces 62 and 64 thereof, providing a clearance therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown another embodiment of a die set 94 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. First die member 96 comprises first and second deflectable extending portions 100 and 102, respectively, coupled together at one end of each and maintained in spaced apart relationship by a connecting portion 104 therebetween having a reduced cross-sectional area defined as 110, generally intermediate the ends thereof, and formed by a transverse aperture 108 therethrough, substantially central of the length of connecting portion 104, and communicating with one end of a slot 116, the other end of which communicates with the end 118 of the variable article receiving cavity 106 remote from the open end thereof. Second die member 98 is similar to die member 52 of FIGS. 3, 4 and as hereinabove described, except that the positive deflecting means thereon are raised portions such as 102 and 122 generally adjacent the compression portion 124 thereof. Although only one aperture 108 and one slot 116 is shown, it should be understood that a plurality of such chambers or voids may be provided within the connecting portion 104 substantially adjacent the article receiving cavity 106 to effect a reduction of the cross-sectional area thereof, thereby permitting extending portions 100 and 102 to be more readily deflected, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown a die set 126 constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. First die member 128 has first and second extending portions 132 and 134, coupled together at a first end of each by a connecting portion 136. Aperture 138, intermediate the ends of extending portion 132, extends therethrough and communicates with the outer surface thereof, serving to provide a reduced cross-sectional area in the vicinity thereof, wherein extending portion 132 may be more readily deflected. A similar aperture 140 is disposed intermediate the ends of extending portion 134, serving to provide a similarly reduced cross-sectional area in the vicinity thereof. It should be understood that although a single generally circular aperture such as 138, 140 is shown extending through its associated extending portion, 132, 134, it is readily apparent that other aperture configurations, number of apertures, or their placement may be utilized to effectively reduce the crosssectional area in the vicinity thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 8, there is shown a further embodiment of a die set 145 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. The outer surfaces 154 and 156 of deflectable extending portions 150 and 152, respectively, of first die member 146 taper generally inwardly, as indicated by angle B, towards the free ends 168 and 170 of extending portions 150 and 152, respectively, being adapted to cooperably engage in camming relationship complementary tapered surfaces 164 and 166 of second die member 148, the angluar disposition of tapered surfaces 164 and 166 of second die member 148 being indicated as C in FIG. 8. It should be noted that extending portions and 152 of first die member 146 are caused to deflect generally inwardly upon the interengagement of die members 146 and 158, when angle C is slightly greater than angle B, whereby inner surfaces 172 and 174 of extending portions 150 and 152, respectively, are urged towards matingly adjacent surfaces 176 and 178 of compression portions 158, reducing the clearance therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown a further em-: bodiment of a die set 180 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. The first die member 182 is shown interposed within the head portion 184 of a compression tool or similar device. The radius of curvature of the generally arcuate outer surface 194 of first die member 182 is so contoured as to be greater than that of the generally arcuate concave inner surface 196 of the tool head portion 184, in order to provide a gap or clearance such as 192 therebetween. Upon the interengagement of die members 182 and 198, die member 182 is forcibly urged towards the adjacent concave inner surface 196 of tool head portion 184, whereby extending portions 186 and 188 are deflected generally inwardly, permitting a more effective confinement and deformation of a ferrule or similar article disposed within article receiving cavity 200. Male die member 198 will be operated by means well known in the art and is therefore not shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12', there is shown a further embodiment of a die set 202 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. First die member 204 comprises a first deflectable extending portion 208, a second deflectable extending portion 210', and a connecting portion 216 coupled therebetween and maintaining said first and second extending portions 208 and 210, respectively, in spaced apart relationship. Contiguous with one end of extending portion 208, and protruding generally inwardly towards a variable article receiving cavity 232, and defining part of the contour thereof, is a first deflectable member 212. Similarly disposed adjacent the complementary extending portion 210 is a second deflectable member 214, members 212 and 214 comprising deflectable lever means, for assisting in the release of a ferrule or similar article deformed within the first diemember article receiving cavity 232, as will be described below, the inner surface 226 of deflectable member 212 and the inner surface 228 of deflectable member 214, in cooperation with the inner walls 222 and 224 of extending portions 208 and 210, respectively, defining the variable article receiving cavity 232. Cooperable with first die member 204, and in movable relation thereto, is a second die member 206 having a compression portion 218 disposed substantially intermediate of, and extending outwardly from, a support portion 220, and towards the first die member variable article receiving cavity 232. The surface 230 of connecting portion 216 immediately adjacent deflectable lever members 212 and 214 may be utilized as a stop means therefor, limiting the deflection thereof.

By way of example, and as further illustrated in FIG. 11, a ferrule or similar article such as 234 disposed within the article receiving cavity 232 may be selectively deformed, as shown, upon the interengagement of die members 204 and 206. During the deformation cycle, the portion of ferrule 234 remote from second die member compression portion 218 is compressively urged against the immediately adjacent, generally arcuate inner surfaces 226 and 228 of deflectable members 212 and 214, respectively, causing the outward deflection thereof, surface 230 of connecting portion 216 serving to limit the extent of de flection of said members 212 and 214. Each of the de fiectable extending portions 236 and 238 of first die member 204, being coupled to its associated deflectable member 212 and 214, respectively, is caused to deflect inwardly towards second die member compression portion 218 as heretofore described. Upon the disengagement of second die member 206 from first die member 204, ferrule 234 .and lever means deflectable members 212 and 214 assume relative positions substantially as shown in FIG. 12. As illustrated therein, deflectable members 212 and 214 are permitted to return to their undeflected state, forcibly urging deformed ferrule 234- forward and towards the open end of article receiving cavity 232, thereby assisting in the desirable release of ferrule 234 therefrom.

Turning now to FIG. 13, there is shown a further embodiment of a die set 258 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Each of the extending portions 238 and 240 of first die member 236- has disposed thereon, adjacent the free end of each thereof, and depending therefrom, a positive deflecting means such as protruding portions 242 and 244, adapted to cooperate with adjacent mating surfaces 254 and 256, respectively, of second die member 206. Interposed between first and second extending portions 238 and 240, and deflectably coupled to one end of each, is a recessed connecting portion 250. Each of a pair of deflectable lever means members 246 and 248, is coupled to, and extends inwardly from its associated extending portions 238 and 240, respectively, duplicating substantially similar portions 212 and 214 of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Die set 258 thus advantageously combines the unique stripping feature of die set 202, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, and the novel positive deflecting means 70 and 72, in die set 49, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. It should be understood that extending portions 238 and 240 and connecting portion 250 may be modified substantially as described above with respect to similar portions as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The spacing between connecting member 250 and lever means 246, 248 may be selectively varied by the insertion therein of shims or similar devices to appropriately limit the deflection of said lever means. Similarly, the deflection of lever means 246, 248- may be increased by increasing the spacing between connecting portion 250 and lever means 246,248.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A die set for deforming a ferrule or similar article comprising: a first die member having a first deflectable extending portion having a free end, a second deflectable extending portion having a free end, and a connecting portion therebetween coupling said first and said second extending portions, and maintaining said first and said second extending portions in spaced apart relationship, the inner walls of said first and said second deflectable extending portions defining a variable article receiving cavity therebetween; and a second die member, cooperable with said first die member and in movable relation thereto to selectively deform an article interposed therebetween wherein, upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members, said first and said second extending portions of said first die member are caused to be deflected, thereby varying the orificial dimensions of said variable article receiving cavity.

2. A die set as defined in claim 1 wherein said second die member has a compression portion extending towards said variable article receiving cavity, and a support portion; said compression portion being disposed substantially intermediate of, and extending outwardly from, said support portion.

3. A die set as defined in claim 2 wherein the crosssectional area of at least one of said first of said second extending portions or said connecting portion of said first die member is reduced to permit said first and said second extending portions of said first die member to be more readily deflected upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

4. A die set as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and said second extending portions each have contact areas at the free ends thereof, and said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said contact areas of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said first and said second extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

5. A die set as defined in claim 3 wherein said reduced cross-sectional area of said first die portion is disposed within said connecting portion thereof.

6. A die set as defined in claim 5 wherein said reduced cross-sectional area of said first die member is disposed substantially adjacent said variable article receiving cavity.

7. A die set as defined in claim 3 wherein said reduced cross-sectional area is disposed within either of said first or said second extending portions of said first die memher.

8. A die set as defined in claim 3 wherein said reduced cross-sectional area is disposed within both of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

9. A die set as defined in claim 2 wherein the free end of each of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member further comprise first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with mating portions of said second die member, for deflecting said first and said second extending portions of said first die member upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

10. A die set as defined in claim 9 wherein said first deflecting means are symmetrically disposed substantially adjacent to, and outwardly of, said variable article receiving cavity.

11. A die set as defined in claim 4 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said contact areas of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

12. A die set as defined in claim 4 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said contact areas of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

13. A die set as defined in claim 10 wherein said first positive deflecting means of said first die member comprises a raised portion on each of said first and said second first die member extending portions, at the free ends thereof.

14. A die set as defined in claim 3 wherein said second die member further comprises a first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said first and said second extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

15. A die set as defined in claim 14 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recess portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

16. A die set as defined in claim 14 wherein second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

17. A die set as defined in claim 5 wherein said second die member further comprises a first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said first and said second extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

18. A die set as defined in claim 17 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said fisrt and said second extending portions of said first die member.

19. A die set as defined in claim 17 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

20. A die set as defined in claim 6 wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said extending portions thereof upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

21. A die set as defined in claim 20 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

22. A die set as defined in claim 20 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

23. A die set as defined in claim 7 wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

24. A die set as defined in claim 23 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

25. A die set as defined in claim 23 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

26. A die set as defined in claim 9 wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

27. A die set as defined in claim 26 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

28. A die set as defined in claim 26 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and second extending portions of said first die member.

I29. A die set as defined in claim 13 wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

30. A die set as defined in claim 29 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion there- 10 of, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first die member first and second extending portions.

31. A die set for deforming a ferrule or similar article, comprising: a first die member having a first deflectable extending portion having a free end, a second deflectable extending portion having a free end, and a connecting portion therebetween coupling said first and said second extending portions, and maintaining said first and said second extending portions in spaced apart relationship; deflectable lever means coupled to said first and said second extending portions and extending generally inwardly therefrom, the inner walls of said first and said second extending portions, in cooperation with said deflectable lever means, defining a variable article receiving cavity therebetween; and a second die member cooperable with said first die member and in movable relation thereto, to selectively deform a ferrule or similar article interposed between said first and said second die members, upon the interengagement thereof, said deflectable lever means urging said ferrule or similar article towards the open end of said variable article receiving cavity, aiding the release of said ferrule therefrom, upon the retraction of said second die member from said first die member.

32. A die set as defined in claim 31 wherein said second die member has a compression portion extending towards said variable article receiving cavity, and a support portion; said compression portion being disposed substantially intermediate of, and extending outwardly from, said support portion.

33. A die set as defined in claim 31 further including stop means adjacent said first die member lever means to limit the deflection thereof.

34. A die set as defined in claim 33 wherein said stop means is a first surface of said first die member connecting portion generally adjacent said lever means, and spaced apart therefrom.

35. A die set as defined in claim 32 wherein the crosssectional area of at least one of said first or said second extending portions or said connecting portion of said first die member is reduced to permit said first die member first and second extending portions thereof to be more readily deflected, thereby varying the orificial dimensions of said variable article receiving cavity upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

36. A die set as defined in claim 32 wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said extending portions upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

37. A die set as defined in claim 32 wherein said free end of each of said first and said second first die member extending portions further comprise first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with mating portions of said second die member, for deflecting said first and said second extending portions of said first die member upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

38. A die set as defined in claim 36 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

39. A die set as defined in claim 36 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

40. A die set as defined in claim 37 wherein said first 1 1 positive deflecting means are symmetrically disposed substantially adjacent to, and outwardly of, said variable article receiving cavity of said first die member.

41. A die set as defined in claim 40 wherein said first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion on each of said first and said second first die member extending portions.

42. A die set as defined in claim 32 wherein the crosssectional area of at least one of said first or said second extending portions or said connecting portion of said first die member is reduced to permit said first die member first and second extending portions thereof to be more readily deflected, and wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member for deflecting said extending portions, upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members. 43. A die set as defined in claim 32 wherein the crosssectional area of at least one of said first or said second extending portions or said connecting portion of said first die member is reduced to permit said first die member first and second extending portions thereof to be more readily deflected, and wherein said free end of each of said first and said second extending portions further comprise first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with mating portions of said second die member, for deflecting said extending portions, upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

44. A die set as defined in claim 32 wherein said second die member further comprises first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member to permit the deflection thereof, and wherein the free end of each of said first and said second first die member extending portions further comprise first positive deflecting means thereon, cooperable with mating portions of said second die member, for deflecting said first and said'second extending portion, upon the interengagement of said first and said second die members.

45. A die set as defined in claim 42 wherein the free end of each of said first and said second first die member extending portions further comprise first positive de- 12 fleeting means thereon, cooperable with mating portions of said second die member, for deflecting said first and said second extending portions of said first die member upon the interengagement of said first and second die members.

46. A die set as defined in claim 42 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

47. A die set as defined in claim 42 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

48. A die set as defined in claim 44 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a recessed portion adjacent said compression portion thereof, said recessed portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

49. A die set as defined in claim 44 wherein said second die member first positive deflecting means comprises a raised portion adjacent said compression portion, said raised portion dimensioned to engage said free ends of said first and said second extending portions of said first die member.

References Cited Reem 72410 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner G. P. CROSBY, Assisatnt Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

